The Director of the Foundation (referred to in this Act as the "Director") shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. -- National Science Foundation Act of 1950

Dr. Alan T. Waterman
April 1951 - June 1963

Dr. Leland J. Haworth
July 1963 - June 1969

Dr. William D. McElroy
July 1969 - January 1972

Dr. H. Guyford Stever
February 1972 - August 1976

Dr. Richard C. Atkinson
May 1977 - June 1980

Dr. John B. Slaughter
December 1980 - October 1982

Dr. Edward A. Knapp
November 1982 - August 1984

Mr. Erich Bloch
September 1984 - August 1990

Dr. Walter E. Massey
March 1991 - April 1993

Dr. Neal F. Lane
October 1993 - August 1998

Dr. Rita R. Colwell
August 1998 - February 2004

Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr.
November 2004 - May 2010

Dr. Subra Suresh
October 2010 - March 2013

France A. Córdova
March 2014 - March 2020